South Africa Grand Journey with The Blue Train

30 January 2026

This sixteen night journey through South Africa is designed for travellers who want to experience the country in depth, combining coastal living, scenic landscapes, refined accommodation and one of the world’s most iconic rail journeys. Beginning in Cape Town, the route moves along the Garden Route, into the Cape Winelands and the Eastern Cape for safari, before finishing with a luxury rail journey aboard The Blue Train and a final night in Johannesburg. With private transfers, internal flights and carefully chosen hotels throughout, this itinerary offers a seamless and varied way to see South Africa at a relaxed, considered pace.

South Africa Grand Journey with The Blue Train

Cape Town – Camps Bay

Arrive into Cape Town and transfer privately to The Bay Hotel in Camps Bay for a four night stay. Set directly on the beachfront, this location offers easy access to the city while enjoying ocean views and evening walks along the promenade.

Your time here is free to explore Cape Town at your own pace, from scenic drives along Chapman’s Peak to visiting the V and A Waterfront, Table Mountain and nearby beaches. Staying in Camps Bay allows for relaxed evenings with restaurants and cafés within walking distance.

George and the Garden Route

Fly to George and transfer to Fancourt Hotel and Manor House for four nights. Located along the Garden Route, this area is known for its green landscapes, coastal scenery and laid back atmosphere.

Your stay at Fancourt provides a comfortable base for exploring the surrounding region, whether that means coastal drives, nearby towns, or simply enjoying the facilities and grounds of the estate itself.

Stellenbosch and the Cape Winelands

Return to Cape Town before transferring to Stellenbosch for a three night stay at River Manor Boutique Hotel. Centrally located, this boutique property allows you to explore the historic town on foot.

Spend your days visiting nearby wine estates, enjoying relaxed lunches, and walking through oak lined streets and village squares. The Cape Winelands offer a slower change of pace before the next stage of the journey.

Eastern Cape Safari

Fly to Port Elizabeth and transfer to Pumba Msenge Bush Lodge for a three night safari stay. Set within a private game reserve, this lodge offers an intimate wildlife experience with all meals and game drives included.

Daily game drives give you the opportunity to spot a wide range of wildlife, while lodge time is spent enjoying views over the reserve, shared meals and quiet time between drives.

Cape Town Waterfront

Return to Cape Town for a one night stay at the Queen Victoria Hotel and Manor House, located at the V and A Waterfront. This overnight stop places you close to the departure point for the next highlight of the journey.

The Blue Train

Board The Blue Train in Cape Town for a two night journey to Pretoria, travelling in a deluxe cabin. This legendary rail experience combines elegant accommodation, fine dining and attentive service as you travel through changing landscapes across South Africa.

Time on board is unhurried, with meals, drinks and scenic viewing all included, allowing you to enjoy the journey itself as part of the experience rather than simply the destination.

Johannesburg

On arrival in Pretoria, transfer to the Peermont Doreale Grande at Emperors Palace for a final overnight stay before flying home. This provides a comfortable and convenient end to the journey, close to OR Tambo International Airport.

Included in this Itinerary

Return flights from Dublin with British Airways via London, all internal flights within South Africa, private airport transfers throughout, accommodation throughout including beachfront hotel, country estate, boutique hotel, safari lodge and city hotels, all meals and game drives at Pumba Msenge Bush Lodge, two night luxury rail journey aboard The Blue Train in a deluxe cabin, and daily breakfasts where stated. Based on 2 passengers sharing. Flights depart Dublin on 10 April 2026. Price is correct at the time of posting 30 January 2026. Offers are subject to change.

Price from €12,000 per person

Victoria Falls, Rovos Rail and Pretoria

03 February 2026

This journey combines one of Africa’s great natural sights with a classic rail experience and a relaxed city stay. Beginning at Victoria Falls, you spend time exploring the falls and the Zambezi River before boarding Rovos Rail for a slow, elegant journey south through Zimbabwe and South Africa. The trip finishes in Pretoria, offering a comfortable and well paced ending before the journey home. It is a refined itinerary that balances sightseeing with time to enjoy the journey itself.

South Africa: City, Safari and Cape Winelands

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This seven night journey through South Africa is designed for travellers who want to experience the country’s key highlights in a clear, well paced route. Beginning in Johannesburg, the trip moves into the Greater Kruger region for an immersive safari stay before finishing in Cape Town’s Constantia Valley. With internal flights, private transfers and standout experiences included, it suits first time visitors who want variety without feeling rushed, combining city stays, wildlife and time to enjoy the landscape properly.

South Africa's Luxurious Garden Route

27 January 2026

Set off on a luxurious self-drive journey through South Africa’s stunning Garden Route. From the vibrant cityscape of Cape Town to the rolling vineyards of Franschhoek, the peaceful shores of Wilderness to the golden beaches of Plettenberg Bay. End your adventure with a thrilling Big Five safari in a private Eastern Cape game reserve, the perfect finale to an adventure filled holiday. Enjoy effortless exploration, five-star stays, and the freedom to discover at your own pace.